Child Support Amnesty Week Offers Parents a Chance to Engage in Children’s Lives

Delinquent Parents Can Have Bench Warrants Discharged Upon Payment Agreement

Trenton, N.J. – Non-custodial parents in New Jersey, who are delinquent on their child support payments and have warrants out for their arrest, may avoid jail time and other penalties if they take advantage of an initiative set to begin at the end of April.

Child Support Amnesty Week will run from Monday April 28th through Saturday May 3rd. It is organized by the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Family Development’s Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) and the New Jersey Judiciary, the agencies responsible for the payment and enforcement of court-ordered child support.

“Child support is not a punishment or penalty against non-custodial parents. It’s the acceptance of responsibility for - and a contribution to - the upbringing of your child or children,” said DHS Commissioner Jennifer Velez. “Too many non-custodial parents have outstanding warrants or are caught in a cycle and can’t keep up with child support payments. It is important that we give them a chance to escape this cycle and work out a payment plan to support their children.”

More than 400,000 New Jersey children depend on child support and 58% of child support cases involve a non-custodial parent who is not meeting his or her payment obligations.

Non-custodial parents can visit participating probation child support offices to make a payment and to reach a payment plan regarding back pay and future payments. Those who are able to reach a plan may have their arrest warrants discharged. Delinquent parents who are unable to reach a payment agreement will not be arrested and will be allowed to leave the premises. However, the arrest warrant remains in effect and they may be arrested at any future time.

“We look forward to seeing more parents providing financial, as well as emotional support to their children as a result of this program,” said Alisha Griffin, Director of the Office of Child Support Services. “Children need role models in their lives to grow into responsible adults. Amnesty Week will allow parents to focus on their role in their children’s lives, rather than worrying about staying out of jail.”

Non-custodial parents who are interested in participating can visit the locations below or visit www.njchildsupport.org for information statewide.

For more information about this program or New Jersey Child Support Services, please call 1-877-NJKIDS1 or log onto www.njchildsupport.org.